Removable foot rest



Jan. 13, 1959 w. E. MIZE REMOVABLE FOOT REST,

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1955 INVENTOR. ,%z'2'e Jan. 13, 1959 w. E. MIZE 2,868,275

REMOVABLE FOOT REST Filed Dec. 13, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ii 7 1 INVENTOR.

J 4 I I I 7/112? 4/ 47 BY REMOVABLE FOOT REST William E. Mize, Ladoga, Ind, assignor, by means as= signments, to Institutional Industries, llnc., a corpora tion of Ohio Application December 13, 1955, Serial No. 552,772 Claims. (Cl. 155-165) This invention relates generally to wheel chairs for invalids and more particularly, is concerned with a novel construction for a foot rest assembly useable on such wheel chairs which permits the occupant to selectively remove the assembly to a position laterally spaced from the front end of the chair and entirely clear thereof and to return said assembly to its normal position of use in front of the chair with a minimum of effort.

Although the invention will be described in connection with wheel chairs of the folding type, it is contemplated that the principles of the invention will be applicable to other type wheel chairs as well.

A foot rest assembly for wheel chairs consists generally of a foot rest support post at the lower end of which is attached a foot rest panel member. Such assemblies usually are mounted on the side frames at the front end of the chair and project forwardly of the front end a substantial distance. Once assembled on the chair, they have heretofore been rigid and stationary to the extent that they cannot be adjusted to a position removed from the front end of the chair without removing the assembly entirely. Where the assembly has been removably installed, such as shown and described in my co-pending application for an invention entitled Foldable Wheel Chair, filed June 7, 1955, and bearing the Serial No. 513,840, it is apparent that the assembly cannot be removed by the occupant while seated in the chair. An important disadvantage of such prior structures is that with the assembly extending forwardly of the frbnt end of the chair, the chair oftentimes cannot be moved sufliciently near to an object, such as a table, to suit the convenience and necessity of the chairs occupant. It will be appreciated that an invalid having his mobility considerably impaired finds the additional effort required of him under such circumstances an unwelcome hardship and under some conditions quite beyond his physical ability with which to cope.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a foot rest assembly for wheel chairs which will substantially eliminate the disadvantages hereinabove enumerated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foot rest assembly of the character described which by reason of its construction permits the same to be adjusted to a position substantially removed from the front end of the chair without disassembling same from the chair.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a foot rest assembly for wheel chairs having novel means which will permit of such adjustment in position relative to the front end of the chair by the occupant.

Still other important objects of the invention are to provide a foot rest assembly of the character described which is capable of being installed on a variety of wheel chair constructions; which is economical to manufacture and install; which is simple to operate and is sturdy.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof evolves, in connection with which a preferred embodiment has been described in detail in the specification and shown in the accompanying drawings. It is contemplated that minor variations in the size, arrangement, construction and proportion of the various parts thereof may occur to the skilled artisan without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a folding wheel chair having the foot rest assembly embodying the invention installed thereon.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the said foot rest assembly shown installed on a side frame of chair, pertinent portions of the side frame only being shown.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the said assembly along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through said assembly along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2 and in the indicated direction.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 2 and in the direction indicated.

An example of a wheel chair with which the foot rest assembly embodying the invention is capable of being used is designated generally by the reference character fill in Fig. l. The chair It] is of the folding type which includes a pair of tubular metal vertical side frames designated 11 having a pair of vertical front support posts 12 and a pair of rear support posts 13, only one of which is visible in Fig. 1. A fabric seat 14 is supported between a pair of horizontal support rods, of which one is visible at 15. The frames l1 are interconnected by a pivotal cross-brace linkage 16 which enables lateral movement of the frames one relative to the other folding. Journalled on the rear support posts 13 are the drive wheels such as shown at 17 and mounted at the front of the chair are caster wheels 18. In some models, the drive wheels and caster wheels may be interchanged, but this is of no moment. Likewise, the linkage 16 may vary considerably. The chair may in clude a brake mechanism 19 associated with each of the drive wheels of the chair.

The mounting for a foot rest assembly has been shown as comprising an integral, substantially L-shaped, hollow tubular member having a vertically arranged leg 2!) joined to the lower horizontal runner 2.2 of a said side frame. The other leg 23 is arranged substantially parallel to the horizontal seat post 15 and is of sufficient length to extend forwardly to the front support post 12 of a said side frame, and perhaps, even past said post, and be secured to the post 12 by any well known means. The free end of each leg 23 is open to provide a socket 24 into which it is intended the foot rest assembly embodying the invention will be mounted. It should be appreciated that it is not necessary to utilize the specific structure of the L-shaped member hereinabove described, but that all that is required is a socket opening to the front end of the chair either as a part of the side frame of the chair or separately thereof and in cooperation with which the invention may be assembled.

The foot rest assembly embodying the invention has been designated generally by the reference character 3%. Generally, same is comprised of two principal parts hingedly connected together for rotation about a vertical axis. One part 31 is mounted directly on the chair while the other part 32 is hingedly assembled to the part 31 and is movable between its normal position of use extending forwardly of the front end of the chair to a second position laterally spaced from. the front end of the chair. In the second position of the assembly assets Patented Jan. 13, 1959 30, the chair is permitted to be moved closer to an object than it otherwise could where the foot rest assembly is projecting forwardly of the front end of the chair.

Considering the chair mounting part 31, same comprises an elongated arcuate plate 33 providing a curved seat 34, the curvature of which approximates the surface of a front support post 12. Plate 33 is provided with a pair of hinge ears 35 and 36, each of generally arcuate formation and arranged one adjacent each end of the plate and in parallel planes transverse of the length of the plate 33. Each car 35 and 36 is a rigid planar member secured as by welding 37 to the surface of said plate opposite seat 34 and having end portion 38 thereof laterally spaced from the side edge 39 of the plate 33. Each portion 38 has an opening 38' therethrough said openings being vertically aligned one with the other and spaced from the said side edge 39. v

Secured to the opposite side edge 40 of the plate 33 adjacent the upper end thereof is tubular member 41. The member 41 is arranged with its axis normal to the plane of curvature of seat 34 and extending outwardly from said plate 33 on the same side as the said seat a substantial distance. The diameter of the member 41 is such as to permit telescoping thereof into the socket 24. To assist in rigid attachment of member 41 along side edge 43, said plate may be provided with an outwardly flared extension or flange 42 integral therewith to which the member 41 may be attached by suitable means such as welding 44.

The part 32 comprises an integral hollow tubular member having an elongate straight portion 45 which is bent as at 46 to provide a short leg portion 47. As seen in Fig. 2, the leg 47 is arranged in a horizontal plane While the portion 45 forms an obtuse angle with leg 47. The bottom free end 48 of leg 45 is open providing a socket for reception therein of a leg panel assembly designated 49 in Fig. 1.

Formed on the said tubular membef are a pair of hinge I members 50 and 51 arranged in generally horizontal, parallel planes and spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the vertical distance between the hinge ears 35 and 36. The hinge member 50 comprises an elongate planar member which is attached at one end 52 thereof to the portion 50 by welding 53. As seen in Fig. 2, the member 50 lies in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the axis of leg 47. The opposite end of the member 50 is greatly widened and bifurcated to provide a pair of fingers 54 and 55 separated one from the other by a deeply curved recess 56 opening to the said opposite end of the member 50. The dimension of the recess 56 is large enough to accommodate entirely within the area thereof the plate 33 and post 12. The curvature of the bottom of said recess is complementary to the curvature of plate 33.

It wil be noted in Fig. 4, that the finger member 55 is spaced laterally from the vertical axis of the portion 45, which would be perpendicular to the plane of the paper on which said figure is shown. Adjacent the free end of finger 55 there is provided an opening 57 the axis of which, likewise would be spaced laterally from the vertical axis of portion 45.

Secured to the leg 47 as by welding 59 is the hinge member 51. Said member 51 comprises a planar membet, the configuration of which is best seen in Fig. 3. The member 51 is secured at an end 60 to said leg 47 in a generally horizontal plane parallel tothe plane of member 50 and extending outwardly from member 51 on the same side of the axis of said member as the finger 55 extends from the vertical axis of portion 50. The member 51 terminates in an opposite end portion 61 which is spaced laterally from the free end 62 of leg 47 and protruding slightly forwardly thereof. The inner side edge of member 51 is recessed as at 63 intermediate the ends thereof, the recess 63 having a curvature generally simulating the curvature ofplate 33. There is an opening 64 in said member 51 adjacent its end 61.

The parts 31 and 32 are assembled one to the other and. installed on the chair lit in the following manner. Plate 33 is attached to the vertical support post 12 by seating said post in the seat 34- fiush against the plate 33. As shown in Fig. 5, screw fasteners may be employed which are threadedly engaged through suitable openings in the plate 33 into the post 12. Of course the member 41 is inserted as far as possible into socket 24 prior to attachment of plate 33 to the post 12. Additional fasteners, such as the long bolt 71 and nut 72 may be employed to keep the member 41 and leg 23 from separating after the plate 33 is so attached. Other well known fastener means may be employed to secure the part 31 on post 12, and may be permanently attached as by weldmg.

The plate 33 is attached on the post 12 so that the ears 35 and 36 protrude in a direction outwardly from the adjacent side frame 11. The part 32 is assembled to the part 31 with the leg portion 47 having its axis coaxial with the axis of member 41. The hinge member 51 is arranged overlying the hinge ear 35 with opening 64 aligned with the opening 33' in said ear. The hinge member 59 is arranged with the finger 55 overlying the hinge car 36 and the opening 56 and opening 38' of finger 36 aligned one with the other. As seen in Fig. 2, because of the angular disposing of portion 45 with respect to the leg portion 4'7, the distance of portion 45 from post 12 and plate 33 will increase from top to bottom of said portion 45. For this reason, the hinge member 50 is greater in length than the hinge 51 and is made sufliciently long to have the finger 55 reach to a position overlying the hinge ear 36 on said plate. Further, the member 50 is sufliciently long so that the plate 33 attached on post 12 will be received in the recess 56 generally flush with the bottom edge thereof. As seen in Fig. 4, the plate 33 and recess 56, having substantially complementary curvatures, may achieve even a flush engagement. Also, the size of recess 56 is large enough to accommodate the post 12 as well, with the finger 54 extending a substantial distance arotuid and beyond the post 12.

Considered in a vertical plane, the hinge parts 35, 36, 50 and 51 are positioned with the respective openings 38', 38, 57 and 64 aligned one with the other along a vertical line spaced exterior of a side frame 11 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of a support post 12. The parts 31 and 32 are pivotally connected one to the other by means of a long pin 73 passed through the said openings 38, 38', 57 and 64 and retained therein.

Referring to Fig. 2 the foot rest assembly is shown in normal use position in which the legs 47 and-41 are arranged with their axes aligned one with the other and the portion 45 projecting forwardly and downwardly of the front end of the chair 10. In this position, the hinge parts 35, 36, 51 and finger 55 overlie each other. To prevent separating movement of the parts 31 and 32, locking means are provided which comprises a cylinder or sleeve 75 secured as by welding 76 to the side edge 40 of plate 33 with its axis spaced from the side edge 40. The end 76 of the said sleeve is open while at the opposite end a wall 77 having an aperture 78 therethrough is provided. The end 76 is spaced above the hinge ear 36 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the member 50 so that the member 50 may be accommodated between said sleeve and ear 36 when the assembly 10 is in normal use position. Installed in the sleeve 75 for reciprocable movement is a pin having an enlarged diameter detent portion 79 and a shank portion 80 which protrudes upwardly through the aperture 78. A spring 81 is mounted on to the shank 80 with its ends respectively engaged against the underside of Wall 77, and the shoulder 82 provided by the enlarged diameter portion 79 and normally urging the said pin in direction out of open end 76. The ear 54 of member 50 has an opening 83 therethrough the diameter of which is sufficient to receive therein the detent 79 of said pin. As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the opening 83 is positioned on member 50 such that when the assembly is in normal use position, the spring 80 urges the detent 79 outwardly of opening 76 into registry with the opening 83 and locks the member 50 to prevent pivotal movement of part 32 relative to part 31.

The protruding end 84 of shank 80 is provided with an enlarged head 85 having an upstanding boss 86 through which is engaged the ring 87. The ring 87 is connected With one end of an elongate flexible member, such as chain 88, the chain 88 extending upwardly through a bracket 89 secured to the post 12 spaced above the seat 14 as seen in Fig. 1. The opposite end of said chain is provided with a finger ring 90 disposed inwardly of said post 12 such that it may be reached and manually operated easily by the occupant.

To pivot the parts 31 and 32 one relative to the other, the occupant merely pulls upwardly on the chain 88 to Withdraw detent 79 from the aperture 83. The occupant may then, by applying pressure with his leg against the leg portion 45 in an outward direction, move the part 32 to the position shown in broken outline 91 in Fig. 3. In this position, the assembly 39 will have been moved from in front of the chair to a position laterally spaced from the adjacent side frame 11 and completely removed from the front end of the chair. To return the assembly to its normal use position, the part 32 is pivoted in the opposite direction. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the finger 54 is angularly bent downwardly relative to the horizontal plane of member 50 to provide a cam surface upon which the free end of detent 79 will ride as the part 32 is moved toward the chair It), and snap into opening 83 when part 32 is entirely in front of chair 10 in normal use position.

The assembly 30 preferably is formed of metal parts to achieve proper strength and rigidity. As noted in Fig. 2, because of the length of hinge member 50, it may be desirable to provide additional rigidity for said arm which may be achieved by the curved fin or brace 95 secured between member 50 and leg portion 45. The construction of the leg panel assembly 49 has not been described in detail since it is believed easily understood. The panel with its supporting post is mounted to the assembly 30 by inserting the post there in the open end 48 of leg portion 45 and secured by any suitable mechanical fasteners.

It is believed the invention has been described in sufficient detail to enable the skilled artisan to understand and practice the same. It is contemplated that minor variations may occur to the skilled artisan without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims hereto appended.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A foot rest assembly for a wheel chair having a pair of interconnected side frames each having a vertical fronttubular support post and a substantially horizontal socket formation opening toward the front end of the chair adjacent the said post thereof, said assembly including an elongate arcuate mounting plate adapted to be attached on said post and an elongate rigid member adapted to be telescopically engaged in said socket formation, and a foot rest support part hingedly connected to said plate, said plate and part having cooperating hinge means providing an axis of pivoting along a vertical line laterally spaced outwardly of the side frame, said assembly when in normal position of use having said support part projecting forwardly of the front end of the chair, said support part adapted to be pivoted to a second position laterally removed from the front end of said chair, said support part having an end portion axially aligned with said socket formation when the same is in normal position, said rigid member having a portion extending forwardly beyond said socket for abutment with the end portion of said support part as the same is swung into its normal position.

2. A foot rest assembly as described in claim 1 which includes a spring pressed latch pin carried on said mounting plate and engageable with said hinge means of said support part for releasably latching said part against pivotal movement with reference to said plate.

3. A foot rest assembly as described in claim 1 which includes a spring pressed latch pin carried on said mounting plate and engageable with said hinge means of said support plate for releasably latching said part against pivotal movement with reference to said plate, and an elongate flexible member connected with said pin and arranged for manual operation to effect unlatching from a point on said chair Within easy reach of the occupant.

4. A foot rest assembly for a wheel chair having a pair of side frames each having a vertical front tubular support post, comprising a pair of parts hingedly connected one relative to the other, one part comprising a mounting member adapted to be attached to one of said support posts, said other part being adapted to mount a foot rest panel structure, said parts having cooperating hinge means providing a substantially vertical axis for relative pivoting of said parts, said assembly being adjustable between a position of normal use where the said other part projects forwardly from the front of the chair and a second position where said other part is laterally removed from the front of the chair, and means for re leasably locking said parts in said position of normal use, said hinge means including at least a pair of hinge ears rigidly secured to each part and a hinge pin connected with said hinge ears to provide said axis, said other part including a substantially horizontal leg portion and an elongated straight portion angularly disposed relative to said horizontal leg, said elongated portion having at least one hinge ear secured thereon at a point remote from said horizontal leg, said one ear being secured at one end thereof to said portion and having a bifurcated opposite end, one branch of which is connected with said pin.

5. An assembly as described in claim 4, in which said means for releasably locking said parts includes a spring biased reciprocable detent, said one ear being provided with an aperture therein, said detent being adapted to be engaged in said aperture to lock said parts together in said position of normal use.

6. An assembly as described in claim 5, in which said means for releasably locking said parts includes an elongated flexible member connected with said detent and extending to a point within convenient reach of an occupant of a chair upon which said assembly is mounted, said member being manually operable to withdraw the detent from the aperture to permit movement of said other part to said second position.

7. A foot rest assembly for a wheel chair-having a pair of interconnected side frames each being provided with a vertical front post structure, comprising a foot rest panel support member having a downwardly inclined portion adapted to support a foot rest panel adjacent the lower end thereof, a vertical mounting member adapted to be secured to one of said vertical front post structures, said mounting member and said support member being equipped with cooperating hinge means for pivotal movement of said support member about a substantially vertical axis, said support member being pivotally adjusta- 'ble between a normal first position wherein said inclined portion projects downwardly and forwardly and a second position wherein said portion projects downwardly and laterally from the front end of a chair upon which said assembly is mounted, said hinge means including a pair of spaced and generally horizontal hinge ears provided by said support member and extending towards said mounting member, one of said ears being secured at one end thereof to said inclined portion remote from the upper end of said support member and having a bifurcated opposite end defining a recess for receiving the front post-structure to which said mounting member is secured when said support member is in its first position.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which meansare provided for releasably locking said support member in said first position, said means including a spring bias reciprocable detent provided by said verticalrnounting member, said bifurcated opposite end of said one ear having a branch thereof apertured to receive said detent to effect a locking of said support member in first position.

9. The structure of claim 8 in which said bifurcated end portion provides a downwardly inclined upper surface for engaging and camming said detent as said support member is moved into its first position.

10. A foot rest assembly for a wheel chair having a side frame equipped with a vertical front post and hav- 15 ing a socket formation opening towards the front end of the chair, comprising a pair of parts hingedly connected one relative to the other, one part comprising a mounting member adapted to be connected to the vertical front post of a wheel chair, said other part being adapted to mount a foot rest panel structure, said parts having c0- operating hinge means providing a substantially vertical axis for relative pivoting of said parts, said assembly being adjustable between a first position of normal use where the said other part projects forwardly of the front end of a chair upon which the assembly is mounted and a.

second position where said other part is laterally re- 8 moved from the front end of the chair, said other part having an upper end portion axially aligned with the socket formation of a chair upon which said' assembly is mounted when the same is in said first position, said mounting member being provided with an elongated tubular member adapted to be telescoped into the socket formation of a wheel chair when the mounting member is secured to the vertical post thereof, said tubular member having a portion thereof adapted to abut the upper end portion of said other part for limiting movement of said assembly as the same is swung into its first position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 311,910 Moeller Feb. 10, 1885 684,937 Johnson Oct. 22, 1901 713,628 Garrett Nov. 18, 1902 1,481,742 Riley Jan. 22, 1924 1,640,394 Crowley Aug. 30, 1927 1,821,636 Harter Sept. 1, 1931 2,460,459 Kraska Feb. 1, 1949' 2,592,449 Miller Apr. 8, 1952 2,593,545 De Barbe Apr. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,927 Great Britain Apr. 27, 1892 

